What do you do when you get the mean reds? Go to Tiffany Co. The luxury label opened up a café on its fourth floor on Friday where you can sit and snack on croissants while paying homage to Audrey Hepburn’s iconic character in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
“Both the café and redesign of the Home Accessories floor reflect a modern luxury experience. The space is experimental and experiential – a window into the new Tiffany,” read a statement by Reed Krakoff, chief artistic officer at Tiffany Co.
Having a personal connection to the film, I was eager live out my fantasy and have breakfast at the Blue Box Café on its opening day, so I woke up early, dressed the part (aka in all black), and headed to Fifth Avenue. In what felt like a less glamourous scene from the movie, I waited in line with hundreds of other New Yorkers and tourists, while staring into the window displays of the Tiffany Co. flagship location.
By 9:15 a. m. , there was a line wrapped around 5th Avenue trailing off onto 57th Street. (I later heard of people who waited hours for a seat inside the eatery. ) When the doors opened at five of 10, doormen greeted us and lead us through the glass cases and onto the elevator.
“Hello, welcome to Blue Box Cafe,” remarked a chipper host. “How many? ”
“One. ”
“Oh, just you? Well, we’re so happy to have you,” he replied.
I was seated at a table for two by a window that overlooked the architecture of Bergdorf Goodman and the treetops of Central Park. It was a truly awe-inspiring scene. Another solo diner, clearly there for the same experience, sat at a booth caddy-corner to mine. Ms. Golightly had breakfast alone, so we would, too.
The décor consisted of an amazingly-obnoxious amount of Tiffany Blue. From the walls to the plush seats, I felt like I was bathing in the calming color. The tables were set with china and silverware they are selling as part of their newest Home Accessories collection.
The menu consists of three prix fixe options: Breakfast at Tiffany ($29), Lunch ($39), and Tiffany Tea ($49). Additionally, you can order sweets ($12), refreshers ($9), and hot drinks like teas and cappuccinos.
I went with the breakfast, of course, and splurged for a juice. My waiter, Mattdarling, as he will be referred to from here on out, recommended the Emerald Refresher – a pulpy juice of honeydew, cucumber, parsley, granny smith apples, citrus, and double mint leaf garnish – and it did not disappoint. He kept the coffee flowing and brought me a dish of sugar cubes to enhance my photo for the ‘gram. My order of truffle eggs, which were served perfectly soft with shaved burgundy truffles, kunik cheese, and crumbled smoked bacon came out first, followed by my croissant and fruit bowl. The order felt weird, but I rolled with it – after all, it was opening day.
Audrey’s Croissant, as Mattdarling called it, was served with three schmears on the side: Nutella, cranberry preserves, and honey butter. I tried every combo possible, and let me tell you, all three at once is the way to go. Avoiding the temptation to lick the leftover sauces with my fingers, I opted for a classier alternative and scraped the bottom of the dishes with my fork. It was so worth the side-eye from nearby diners.
The vibes in the cafe were cozy and communal. This may have been because those of us dining first were the ones standing in line for an hour building comradery, but regardless, I never felt like I was dining alone. I chatted with my table-neighbors, we took each other’s photographs, and shared our appreciation for the small blue box we were dining in.
Even though it was an insanely iconic experience, the portions were small, the prices were high, and the wait (for most) was long. At the end of the day, I was just a girl who got dressed up to go eat a croissant, drink coffee, and stare at the beauty of it all. I say go if you’re looking to live out your Holly Golightly fantasies, but just like watching the movie, every once in a while is enough. You don’t want your sterling idea of it all to tarnish.
